[F*ckDell]

I am currently using a Dell Inspiron 9100 with a true native resolution of 1920 x 1200. Now that I have clarified what kind of LCD HDTV I plan on buying for my Mac Mini, I'd like to get some feed back on what kind of LCD HDTV I should buy for the Dell to use as a monitor/HDTV. I don't what to go to big, 32 inches is huge... but around that size (27 maybe). Does anyone have any ideas on HDTV resolutions that I should stick with that would work well with my weird native resolution?

Another question just popped up as I was writing. I have a P4 3.4 HT processor with one gig of ram, will those specs produce a good HDTV resolution. I don't plan on recording HDTV on the Dell due to the fact that I'll have the Mini doing all the heaving lifting...

Thanks guys...

[Eug Wanker]

32" is humungous on a desk. Even my 26" (Dell W2606c) is pretty damn big on my desk.

BTW, any sub 32" LCD TV is going to be 720p (or lower). I've not seen any 1920x1080 sets under 32", unless you go with a standard PC monitor. You could go with a 32" though if you're gonna hang the thing on the wall and sit back a bit from it. However, again, it's likely to be 720p, not 1080p.

You could consider getting a Dell 2405/2407 LCD screen (1920x1080) and add a pair of speakers, although it could be a pain in terms of sound inputs. I was thinking exactly along these lines, but the sound issue was the deal-breaker, so I finally just got the 1360x768 Dell 26" TV.

The other issue is that for my Dell 26" the only way to get good quality contrast out of it is to have the backlight at about the midway setting. The only problem is that brightness is better suited for TV watching in full light. With my iMac I had originally just had the lights turned down and the backlight of the iMac turned down too. What I've done now is to add a lamp to my room, and turned the iMac's backlight up to closer match the TV's.

P.S. There is no reason you have to stick with your laptop's native resolution, unless you are going to be mirroring. I don't see the point of mirroring though most of the time. The only time I use mirroring is when I'm giving a Keynote presentation. If I'm surfing/working with a laptop connected to an external screen, I always use desktop spanning, and for that, you can use whatever resolution you want.

[mduell]

Dell is rumored to be releasing a 27" 1920x1200 (standard WUXGA res) screen in the near future. Add a soundbar (snaps into the bottom of the display) or a 5.1 system for sound.

[F*ckDell]

For a while now, I've been faced with this screen problem. After a while of using the laptop the screen goes "crazy", making me have to restart to solve the problem. When I try to play games, I get about 20 seconds of nice game time and then it’s back to the "crazy" screen problem. I thought this was caused by my attached LCD screen.

I tried playing a game today, the screen went "crazy" and I plugged it into my roommates monitor. Wouldn't you know, same problem. For this whole time I've had this problem, I thought it was the screen (due to the fact that I threw my laptop like a Frisbee against my wall). Now I know it’s the Video Card. I got the ATI Mobility 9700 installed right now, I'd like to get the Mobility 9800 (256mb) but I cannot find it anywhere. Are there any other mobile video cards that will work with my Dell?

Now back to the original question...
It would be better to just by a Dell LCD Monitor and use that as a TV/monitor setup? I planned on doing that to begin with, but as I got caught up with the Mini/LCD HDTV crap - I figured why not with the Dell? How would TV video quality be on a setup like that?



P.S. wish I knew how to post screen shots, I'd show you my "crazy" screen problem.

[mduell]

Is your Dell laptop under warranty? Also, does your Dell laptop have upgradeable graphics? Some do, some don't.

A Dell LCD monitor will work just as well as an HDTV as any other LCD tv.
Although a TV in the bedroom isn't good for your sex life.

[F*ckDell]

HAHA thanks for the news... I'll have to check that out...

No its not under warranty, and from what I understand I can upgrade it from Radeon 9700 to a Radeon 9800 - however - I cannot find it ANYWHERE online...........


Would something like that 2405FPW be a good buy for my anti-sex bedroom?

[mduell]

Originally Posted by F*ckDell

No its not under warranty, and from what I understand I can upgrade it from Radeon 9700 to a Radeon 9800 - however - I cannot find it ANYWHERE online...........

Would something like that 2405FPW be a good buy for my anti-sex bedroom?

Here's the Radeon 9800 you want... $300, yow.

Yea; it's VESA mountable out of the box, so you can mount it to the wall easily. Depending on how far away you're viewing it from, you may want to wait for the rumored 27" (same resolution) to come out in a couple months; the 3" increase gives you 26% more screen area.

[F*ckDell]

Damn your good. Thanks for the find!

Well I have to get this video card soon, but once the video card problem is solved I can wait a little bit until this rumored LCD comes out.

Thanks for everyones help!